I was in New York several months ago. I'm by no means familiar with the city, but came across a new development area Hudson Yards. There was an initiative to l

I was in New York several months ago. I'm by no means familiar with the city, but came across a new development area Hudson Yards. There was an initiative to leave alot of room for new subway. To start with, this is more NJ to NY. But still. https://nec.amtrak.com/content/hudson-tunnel-project https://nec.amtrak.com/content/hudson-tunnel-project http://www.hudsontunnelproject.com/ http://www.hudsontunnelproject.com/ From what I was reading, alot of the area or new buildings is elevated. To allow for new subway and rail lines. http://fortune.com/2014/09/04/hudson-yards-city-on-stilts/ http://fortune.com/2014/09/04/hudson-yards-city-on-stilts/ There are also new units in this area. But what is the price, and how afforadble will they be. There are new apartments coming up. But how many are bare essential without amenties. Where they push forward cheap living. Rather than a lavish experience. http://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/live/ http://www.hudsonyardsnewyork.com/live/ Even with all this I look at Amtrak, and I don't see it. I mean it feels upscale compared to public transit. By that I mean there are bathrooms, cafe, business class, more comfortable chairs etc. This is priced as premium service to me. So when I look at Amtrak it's great, but it's priced out of line for a daily commute option. Daily commute, high transit is a sardine can. Pack people in tight, ship em as quickly as you can from A -> B. Some Quick Points One Way to Philadelphia * Public Transit 8$ @ 1 -> 1.5 hours * Amtrak Peak Hours 10 Minutes 50$(NE Regional) 75$(Acela) * Amtrak Non Peak 10 Minutes 100$(NE Regional) 125$(Acela) This is not New York, but I saw similar prices NYC to Phil. Look at their Monthly pass about 700$. For me DE -> Philadelphia I pay 250$ a month in transit fares. If we look at either of those numbers my base house rent is 1k in DE. I add in the cheap public transit option. I can get a no frills apartment, 15 to 20 minutes from work, compared to a 2.5 hour ride. Add in the premium frills travel package. I can get something fancier closer to center city. This is completely barring the constant budgetary issues with the public transit. That they're not making enough to support their employees. Risking constant strikes. It's cyclical. The cost of living goes up, the public transit employees need more money to live. Fares go up, and people are pushed further away. https://www.amtrak.com/take-the-trains-across-america-with-usa-rail-pass https://www.amtrak.com/take-the-trains-across-america-with-u... This is not dismissing public transit, or high speed rail. I would love to see it. But the infrastructure investment and end cost, is difficult to figure out. When I add in the cost for a monthly pass/frequent rider program. The time to travel, and everything else. Why not pay just a bit more and live near work.